What comes to mind when you want to be more productive at work? Some people look at ways to manage their time better. Others invest in learning how to prioritize their tasks and organize their workspace. Reps at mortgage staffing agencies may use applicant tracking systems to help them with the workload. But very few people realize their dietary habits could also have an impact on their productivity.
Poor eating can actually impair a person’s health and their ability to perform well at work. And a poor diet over a long period can lead to health issues that further impact work productivity. On the other hand, a few changes to your diet may help you increase your output and efficiency at work. Interested? Read on to find out more about the best foods you should try to boost productivity.
Healthier Caffeine and Amino Acids – Green Tea
Many people prefer to start their day with a jolt of caffeine. The concentrated sugar and caffeine in your morning coffee can help jumpstart your brain for a long workday. And it can even serve as a pick-me-up later in the day when you start feeling tired. But the extended use of instant coffee is hardly ever good. You could derive much more benefit from green tea, including advantages to your health. Green tea is not just packed with caffeine, but amino acids as well. These help to increase focus and allow the brain to remain alert for longer. At the same time, green tea can help boost metabolism. It can even bring blood pressure and cholesterol to healthier levels.
Proteins and Healthy Fats – Almonds
Almonds are some of the best brain foods you can snack on in the workplace. They’re easy to carry around and store, so you won’t be disrupting anyone. But more importantly, almonds are full of healthy nutrients like healthy fats, proteins, and even anti-oxidants. These can help keep you energized throughout the day, making sure you get more work out off the way. And the high protein content can keep you fueled without making you feel like you need to snack on more food.
B-Vitamins – Eggs
Eggs are one of the healthiest additions you can make to most diets. Your daily breakfast gives you most of the fuel you need to get through the day. Lunch is only meant to top up those reserves. So if you don’t already eat breakfast every day, you need to start now. And it would be best to start the most important meal of the day with a healthy serving of eggs. Eggs are a versatile food. You can make a salad out of them, in addition to boiling, frying, or scrambling them. So you won’t get bored of the same breakfast every morning. And with healthy B vitamins with every breakfast, you can boost your reaction and memory skills.
Potassium and Carbs – Bananas
Bananas are a healthy and easy-to-consume snack that offers glucose and healthy minerals like potassium. Even a single banana has enough glucose to support your body’s needs for the entire day. And you can rely on the healthy carbs that bananas have to keep you from feeling hungry again. Bananas are a great alternative to try if you have trouble eating healthy in the office. You can even have one at your desk without needing to move away from work.
Magnesium and Caffeine – Dark Chocolate
Chocolate may not be everyone’s idea of healthy food. But dark chocolate can help you boost your workplace output. It contains caffeine and sugar in healthy dosages. Meaning, you get the same boost as a cup of coffee, but without the jitters and inevitable sugar crash. More to the point, the magnesium content in dark chocolate helps workers manage stress and anxiety. That’s not to mention how it is usually packed with a range of healthy nutrients that can be very useful to your body and mind.
Antioxidants and Glucose – Apples
An apple a day does keep the doctor away after all. Especially when you consider what a single apple can offer you. Apples have over 10 grams of sugar which makes them a great energy food. Even better than your morning coffee. The antioxidants that apples contain can help you stay alert. Adding peanut butter to the mix can help you gain proteins and energy at the same time. That way, both your brain and your appetite have the fuel they need to keep going through a brutal workday.